Blade Arm

ABSTRACT

The apparatus of the present invention comprises a user adjustable variable axial length and variable pitch ceiling fan blade arm. The blade arm includes a pair of extension elements. Each element is threadably engaged with each other. At the other end of the extension elements are custom flanges for the purpose of attaching a fan blade and connecting the blade arm to a ceiling fan motor. 
     The user can adjust the axial length and radial pitch of the blade arm by screwing in or out a threaded connection between the extension elements, and once the desired length and pitch is selected, the connection is secured by a connector, such as a hand adjustable threaded lock.

PRIOR APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of application Ser. No.12/319,445 filed Jan. 7, 2009 which is a continuation in part of U.S.application Ser. No. 11/094,063, filed on Mar. 30, 2005, which in turnclaims priority to Provisional U.S. Application No. 60/557255, filedMar. 30, 2004.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to an adjustable fan blade arm which ischaracterized by a body portion having connection flanges at each end toconnect the body portion to a fan blade and a ceiling fan motor. Morespecifically, a preferred embodiment of the present invention isparticularly directed toward an axial or length adjustable and pitchadjustable blade arm for use with ceiling fan blades that are a part ofa ceiling fan, wherein the connector is capable of multiple positions inan axial dimension relative to the body portion, and the connector hasan exterior axial for gripping or adjustment which is greater in lengththan the interior threaded portion of the connector to facilitate aquicker and easier adjustment to the user's preference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ceiling fans are very popular for facilitating air circulation in homesand businesses. As a result, various manufacturers construct and marketceiling fans to the public. Few manufacturers though, design and buildceiling fan blade bracket arms. However, current blade arms or bracketarms, as they are sometimes referred to, do not allow for the axiallength of the actual blade arm and pitch of the fan blade to beadjusted. This can pose a problem for the user who may wish to adjustthe fan based upon changing cooling and recirculation requirements. Forinstance, a user may wish to change the location of a fan within a hometo a room having a larger (or smaller) room geometry. Likewise, theneeds for recirculation and downdraft in a given location may changedepending upon the season or the weather. In addition, the user may notwant to have repeated trips up and down a step stool or ladder to havethe right to make the appropriate adjustment, nor (for reasons ofbalance and safety) will a user wish to spend an inordinate amount oftime obtaining the precise arrangement of a conventional “nut and bolt”arrangement for the proper connection of the fan blade.

By allowing for the length of the blade arm to be adjusted, the fan cancover a greater diameter or area. Additionally, by allowing for the“pitch” of the blade arm to be adjusted, user can increase the amount ofdowndraft to be produced, thus circulating more air within a room area.

In view of the above, it can be seen that there is a need for a bladearm that allows for its axial length to be adjusted and furthermore, toafford the opportunity to change the “pitch” of the actual ceiling fanblade and for permitting a more flexible process and means for adjustingthe fan blade.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the disclosed invention is to provide a blade armwhich can have its length adjusted and allow for the “pitch” of theceiling fan blade to be changed as desired.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

A common problem with existing blade arms (bracket arms) that are usedwith ceiling fans is that the design limitations limit the ability ofsuch blade arms to allow the axial length and pitch to be adjusted aspreferred. The actual length of the blade arm is constant and thusunadjustable. If the user prefers to increase the amount of area(diameter) of a room for example, that the fan blades cover, usingconventional fan blade arms will not allow for this to be done.Additionally, current blade arm designs do not allow for the amount ofdowndraft produced by the pitch or degree of angle of the blade arm tobe changed. By allowing for the pitch or degree of angle of the bladearm to be adjusted, there is a greater circulation of air flowthroughout a room.

Prior designs in the art do not account for this problem in a simple andefficient manner. A typical prior art approach is shown in U.S. Pat.Nos. 6,039,540 Wu and Bucher 6,309,183. Both patents purport to describefan blade assemblies that include a mounting arm with a mounting end.However, neither reference discloses or suggests the ability to adjustthe axial length of each blade arm and pitch.

Another approach can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,751 (Marshall). Thispatent again purports a fan blade assembly which includes a mounting armwith a mounting end. But again, the axial length and actual pitch wherethe fan blade connects to the blade arm is not adjustable.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

The following terms are used in the claims of the patent as filed andare intended to have their broadest plain and ordinary meaningconsistent with the requirements of law.

“axial direction”—The line or axis between: 1) the point at which theextension elements connect to the fan blade; 2) the point at which theextension elements connect to the ceiling fan motor.

“connector”—a component for connecting two or more elements to oneanother. The means for connecting is most preferably a structure whichpermits both a hand-tightened fit and a tool fit, although alternativeembodiments may encompass either a hand tightened fit or a tool fit mayalso fall within the definition of this term.

Where alternative meanings are possible, the broadest meaning isintended. All words used in the claims set forth below are intended tobe used in the normal, customary usage of grammar and the Englishlanguage.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The apparatus of the present invention comprises an adjustable blade armused with ceiling fans. The blade arm includes a plurality of extensionelements which connect to a ceiling fan motor on one end and a fan bladeon the other. The extension elements are preferably designed to connectto a stock ceiling fan motor and fan blade. The extension elements havea threaded engagement with one another, and are adjustably linked to oneanother via a tubular-shaped connector (collar), which is preferablyreciprocally threaded to receive the extension elements.

The connector fixes the threaded engagement between the extensionelements within an operator adjustable thread range. That is, theinvention includes most preferably sufficiently long threaded matingportions on the extension elements such that the blade arm may beeffectively lengthen by one inch or more, while the connector securesthe attachment between the extension elements at the desired length,preferably by being manually tightened to engage one of the extensionelements.

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide anadjustable blade arm which can be used with stock ceiling fan motors andfan blades.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a blade arm whoselength can be hand adjusted without the need for adjusting tools.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a blade armthat allows for the pitch of the fan blade to be adjusted in a radialdirection.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustableblade arm attachment whereby both the length and the axial directionalong with the pitch, are user adjustable.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a moreversatile means of circulating airflow.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a connectorwhich is capable of quick adjustment by tool and or hand adjustment.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a connectorwhich may be axially adjusted or displaced relative to both the elementswhich it connects.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent in light of the following detaileddescription of a best mode embodiment thereof, and as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exploded front view of a preferred embodiment inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 a front view, partially exposed of the engagement between theconnector and the extension elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Set forth below is a description of what is currently believed to be thepreferred embodiment or best examples of the invention claimed. Futureand present alternatives and modifications to this preferred embodimentare contemplated. Any alternatives or modifications which makeinsubstantial changes in function, in purpose, in structure or in resultare intended to be covered by the claims in this patent.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, comprising the blade arm 10, which includes a first proximalextension element 20, a connector 30 and a second or distal extensionelement 40.

The first extension element 20 is designed for mounting eitherintegrally or by a separable attachment to a ceiling fan blade (notshown).

The first extension element most preferably includes a first end 22comprising a connecting flange, shaped to attach with one end of a fanblade, and a second end 24 comprising another connecting flange that isdesigned to mate with connector 30. Second end 24 is also designed tomate with a second extension element 40.

Second extension element 40 includes a first male threaded end 42 formating with the connector 30 and the second end 24 of the firstextension element 20.

Second extension element 40 further includes a second end 44 mostpreferably comprising a mounting bracket for attachment to a motor (notshown) or similar driving components.

In a first preferred embodiment, however, the first and second extensionelements 20 and 40 are 7¼ and 7 inches in total length, respectively,which includes their first and second ends, ⅝ of an inch in diameter,and are composed generally of stainless steel tubular shafts althoughthe flange and mounting brackets will be of variable geometry. Each endof the extension element, 24 and 42 (i.e., where the first and secondextension elements move), is most preferably internally threaded orbored to about 1″ inch in length by approximately 10 mm in diameter. Theterm tubular is used to refer to the general external shape of a tube,i.e., cylindrical.

In this preferred embodiment, the male threads of the first end 42 andsecond extension element 40, is comprised of a single pitch stud forease of manufacture. The pitch stud is 1.25″ inch in length and ⅜ of aninch in diameter. The pitch stud is most preferably inserted or screwed⅜″ of an inch into the shaft of second extension element 40 andpermanently connected by means of an adhesive, the selection andavailability of a specific adhesive being known to those of ordinaryskill in the art. Preferably only one pitch stud is utilized. Thus, amale thread will project outward, creating a male-female connectionbetween the first and second extension elements. Those of ordinary skillin this field will understand that the present invention may also bepracticed through alternative embodiments, such as male threadsintegrally manufactured and machined with the second extension element(i.e., instead of pitch studs) to arrive at the same function and resultas this embodiment.

The invention further comprises the use of a connector 30. The connectoris most preferably a tubular shaped locknut which includes a combined“knurled” outer or gripping surface 32 plus a smooth outer geometricsurface 33, an inner threaded surface 34 and a second internal surface36. The combined outer surfaces 32 and 33 are preferably of a greateraxial length than the length of the inner threaded surface so as toimproved the ease of gripping or other tool adjustment. The innerthreaded surface is designed to create a threaded frictional lockingengagement with the first end 42 of the second extension element, whilethe second internal surface 36 has a larger interior diameter forreceiving the second end 24 of the first extension element and the shaftof the second extension element 40. This arrangement has the furtherbenefit of permitting the connector 30 to mate the connector secondinternal surface 36 in a “flush” relationship with the second end 24 ofthe first extension element (without having to be flush with the shaftof the second extension element 40). Alternatively, the connector 30 canmate the shaft of the second extension element 40 in a “flush” fashion(without having to be flush with the second end 24 of the firstextension element). Thus, the connector 30 of the present inventionpermits multiple axial locations relative to the first and secondextension element for a more flexible arrangement for securing the fanblade than might be used in a convention “nut and bolt” relationship.

The connector 30 is disposed between the first and second connectorelements 20, 40 to accommodate the user with a hand adjustableconnection or a tool connection (e.g. a wrench). In other words, tooperate this preferred embodiment of the present invention, theconnector 30 is screwed onto the male thread 42 of an extension element(located in the example of FIGS. 1 and 2 on the first end 42 of secondextension element 40), with that male thread 42 then mating with thereciprocal female thread 26 of the first extension element 20.

The connector 30 and the first and second extension elements 20, 40 arethen attached (screwed) together to create the blade arm 10. The userthen connects the Blade arm 10 to a ceiling fan rotor by insertingscrews into the holes at the flange 44, which then are screwed into theceiling fan rotor.

A second preferred embodiment further includes the use of a lock nutsurface 32 defined on at least a portion of the exterior circumferenceof connector 30, to facilitate the connection of the extension elementsthrough a tool tightened connection. A fan blade (not shown) is attached(screwed) onto the flange 22 of the first extension element 20 and thefan blades position can be changed by rotating the blade and securingits position by tightening the locknut (connector) accordingly. Theconnector 30 allows the user to rotate or adjust axial length and pitchof the first extension element 20, by rotating the first extensionelement 20 and/or connector 30 as desired, and then securing the desiredposition by tightening the locknut accordingly.

The operator can, when desired, increase or decrease the axial length ofthe blade arm by rotating extension element 20 in a radial direction.That is, the extension element 20 can be rotated in a radial direction(i.e., further screwed in or out) from its connection with extensionelement 40 and then secured by tightening the connector 30 accordingly.

In all of the preferred embodiments described above, the disclosedfeatures allow the user to circulate more air throughout the room,adjust the amount of downdraft produced from each blade by adjusting itspitch and increasing or decreasing the area coverage of the fan bladesby adjusting the axial length of the blade arm.

The above description is not intended to limit the meaning of the wordsused in the following claims that define the invention. Rather, it iscontemplated that future modification in structure, function or resultwill exist that are not substantial changes and that all suchinsubstantial changes in what is claimed are intended to be covered bythe claims. For instance, the selection of which extension elements usea “male thread” versus a female thread is for illustrative purposes withreference to the example drawings only. Likewise, it will be appreciatedby those skilled in the art that various changes, additions, omissions,and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments withoutdeparting from the spirit of the present invention. All suchmodifications and changes are intended to be covered by the followingclaims.

1. An adjustable blade arm for connecting a fan blade to a motor, said blade arm comprising: a) first and second extension elements extending generally along an axial direction, said pair of extension elements being adjustably connected to one another via a threaded engagement, at least one of said extension elements capable of having its length axially adjusted; b) a connector adjustable in an axial direction relative to said first and second extension elements, said connector comprising an interior threaded portion and an external gripping portion, said threaded portion for mating between said extension elements in an axial direction, said connector capable of being located in a plurality of axial locations, including in axial location flush to said first extension element and a second location flush to said second extension element, and said gripping portion for facilitating a hand tightened fit with said extension elements in either axial location, said gripping portion having a axial length greater than said interior threaded portion, whereby the connector secures a user selected length of said blade arm in said axial direction.
 2. The adjustable blade arm of claim 1, wherein said connector further secures a user selected radial orientation of said fan blade relative to said axial direction.
 3. A blade arm for attaching a fan blade to a motor comprising: a) first and second extension element extending generally along an axial direction, said extension elements being adjustably connected to one another via an adjustable axial threaded engagement, at least one of said extension elements capable of having its length axially adjusted; b) a flange at a distal end of said first extension element for mating said blade arm with a fan blade; c) a mounting bracket at a proximal end of said second extension element for attaching said blade arm to a motor; and d) a connector for said extension elements, said connector adjustable in an axial direction relative to said first and second extension elements, said connector extending radially through at least one of said extension elements for providing a user adjustable friction fit with said axial threaded engagement, whereby the connector secures a user pitch of said fan blade, said connector capable of being located in a plurality of axial locations, including in axial location flush to said first extension element and a second location flush to said second extension element.
 4. The blade arm of claim 3, wherein the connector enables a user adjustable friction fit with said axial threaded engagement for securing a user selected axial length of said blade arm.
 5. An adjustable blade arm for connecting a fan blade to a motor, said blade arm comprising: a) first and second extension elements extending generally along an axial direction, said pair of extension elements being adjustably connected to one another via a threaded engagement, at least one of said extension elements capable of having its length axially adjusted; b) a connector for said extension elements, said connector adjustable in an axial direction relative to said first and second extension elements, said connector having an interior threaded portion and exterior surfaces for receiving both hand grip and tool for adjustment, said exterior surfaces having an axial length greater than said interior threaded portion, at least one of said extension elements extending radially through said connector for providing a user tool adjustable friction fit with said threaded engagement, whereby the connector secures a user selected length of said blade arm in said axial direction and a user selected radial orientation of said fan blade relative to said axial direction.
 6. An adjustable blade arm for connecting a fan blade to a motor, said blade arm comprising: a) first and second extension elements extending generally along an axial direction, said pair of extension elements being adjustably connected to one another via a threaded engagement, at least one of said extension elements capable of having its length axially adjusted; b) a connector adjustable in an axial direction relative to said first and second extension elements, said connector comprising an interior threaded portion and an external gripping portion, said threaded portion for mating between said extension elements in an axial direction, said exterior surfaces having an axial length greater than said interior threaded portion, at least one of said extension elements extending radially through said connector for providing a hand tightened fit with said threaded engagement, whereby the connector secures a user selected length of said blade arm in said axial direction and a user selected radial orientation of said fan blade relative to said axial direction.
 7. The adjustable blade arm of claim 6, wherein said connector further includes an exterior surface for receiving a tool for adjusting the fit of the threaded engagement.
 8. A blade arm for attaching a fan blade to a motor comprising: a) first and second extension element extending generally along an axial direction, said extension elements being adjustably connected to one another via an adjustable axial threaded engagement, at least one of said extension elements capable of having its length axially adjusted; b) a flange at a distal end of said first extension element for mating said blade arm with a fan blade; c) a mounting bracket at a proximal end of said second extension element for attaching said blade arm to a motor; and d) a connector for said extension elements, said connector adjustable in an axial direction relative to said first and second extension elements, said connector having an exterior surface for receiving a tool for adjustment, at least one of said extension elements extending radially through said connector for providing a user tool adjustable friction fit with said threaded engagement, whereby the connector secures a user selected length of said blade arm in said axial direction and a user selected radial orientation of said fan blade relative to said axial direction.
 9. The blade arm of claim 8, wherein the connector wherein said connector further includes an exterior gripping surface for providing a user hand adjustable friction fit with said threaded engagement. 